Jim you might have to fuel up the cat as the snows are coming back. Cold also returns and a 10" is possible in the future. Should put you back like driving on a cloud! Looking at the cams at least the trails have turned white again and groomers have something to work with. See you next weekend,looking for that log cabin pie.
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Conover, WI
- Thread starter JimAndros
- Start date
1-30-17 9AM
The groomers have been out for the last 4 nights. Temps fell to low single digits last night & trails firmed up pretty well. We have had about 1/2″ more or less of light snow that has at least turned the brown snow banks white & gave us something to groom into the old stuff. A clipper is forecast for today but as usual, the NWS is now backing off the snowfall estimates.
I groomed the WEST side last night & what I found was:
Trail 8 along K within 1 mile of town is bumpy, basically ice with a thin brown snow cover. Groomer just followed the frozen contour. I’d call it poor/fair. Beyond this area, everything on the SOUTH side of K west to & including the Deer Path trail is good or better with a few icy corners.
Trail 13 & 45 NORTH of K was basically good with a section about 2 miles north (but before the bridge) that had thin brownish snow but groomed flat. After the bridge, 13 was good all the way to Rummels Rd intersection with Land-O. I did not head east on 45. Again, watch for ice in corners.
Expect the east side has similar conditions; Primarily good with a some fair areas, possible icy corners & poor road crossings.
Expect poor (bare) road crossings on 45 & K and road routes will be about the same. The driveways & road crossings along the south side of K were good.
Twin Haven via the new trail; Trail is nice except for the last 3/4 mile where it turns off the grade. This section has now been groomed & is much better but still has new trail bumps. For those running along the power lines N from North Twin boat ramp, you now have a stop sign at the grade, E/W traffic has the right of way.
The lakes are marked and had lots of snow. Watch for the possibility of slush/ ruts and/or standing water anywhere on the lakes. More snow is needed to smoothen out the lakes.
The groomers have been out for the last 4 nights. Temps fell to low single digits last night & trails firmed up pretty well. We have had about 1/2″ more or less of light snow that has at least turned the brown snow banks white & gave us something to groom into the old stuff. A clipper is forecast for today but as usual, the NWS is now backing off the snowfall estimates.
I groomed the WEST side last night & what I found was:
Trail 8 along K within 1 mile of town is bumpy, basically ice with a thin brown snow cover. Groomer just followed the frozen contour. I’d call it poor/fair. Beyond this area, everything on the SOUTH side of K west to & including the Deer Path trail is good or better with a few icy corners.
Trail 13 & 45 NORTH of K was basically good with a section about 2 miles north (but before the bridge) that had thin brownish snow but groomed flat. After the bridge, 13 was good all the way to Rummels Rd intersection with Land-O. I did not head east on 45. Again, watch for ice in corners.
Expect the east side has similar conditions; Primarily good with a some fair areas, possible icy corners & poor road crossings.
Expect poor (bare) road crossings on 45 & K and road routes will be about the same. The driveways & road crossings along the south side of K were good.
Twin Haven via the new trail; Trail is nice except for the last 3/4 mile where it turns off the grade. This section has now been groomed & is much better but still has new trail bumps. For those running along the power lines N from North Twin boat ramp, you now have a stop sign at the grade, E/W traffic has the right of way.
The lakes are marked and had lots of snow. Watch for the possibility of slush/ ruts and/or standing water anywhere on the lakes. More snow is needed to smoothen out the lakes.
About 1 inch from yesterday's non-event storm. Snowing again this morning. Groomed last night, entire west side except for the Deer Path & Lannie's spurs. All good except for just west of town along K but even that has improved to at least fair.
From what I could see, Monday's traffic was light. Wasn't until later when I realized probably because of the closed bridge on 10/13 in ER network.
From what I could see, Monday's traffic was light. Wasn't until later when I realized probably because of the closed bridge on 10/13 in ER network.
Ok I get non event! You were supposed to get 6" ! The cold has returned, trails are white again, and the big storm of the season is inbound! I'm feeling this is the one so fuel that skid steer, the groomer, and what else you'll need to get around. Thanks for grooming and trail info. See you this weekend.
2-1-17 9AM
Got out last night & trails were good or better before the groomer went thru. This morning, rode to Three Lakes. Trails were good to excellent.
I know this is a Conover thread but since no one will likely stay in just one club's network, I'm going to include the following compliment: ER section of Alt 13 frequently gets bad press (from me as well). From the white fence area along Bloom Rd to the Three Lakes intersection there is a potentially wet area that delays the start of grooming. Today this area was groomed to excellent It really could not have been smoother if they had paved it! Anyone thinking of a Three Lakes to Conover trip, today is the day........
Got out last night & trails were good or better before the groomer went thru. This morning, rode to Three Lakes. Trails were good to excellent.
I know this is a Conover thread but since no one will likely stay in just one club's network, I'm going to include the following compliment: ER section of Alt 13 frequently gets bad press (from me as well). From the white fence area along Bloom Rd to the Three Lakes intersection there is a potentially wet area that delays the start of grooming. Today this area was groomed to excellent It really could not have been smoother if they had paved it! Anyone thinking of a Three Lakes to Conover trip, today is the day........
Feb 2nd 10:30 AM
The groomers have been out nightly for the past week repairing the melt down damage. Temps fell to zero last night & trails firmed up well. We have had about 2″ of light snow over the past several days that has at least turned the brown snow banks white & gave us something to groom into the old stuff. A clipper is forecast for Saturday with temps staying cold thru the weekend.
Trail conditions are good to very good with a periodic excellent depending on the trail you are on and the time of day. The only real exception to this is right near town (particularly west along K until the WI river bridge) where the trails are fair. Watch for ice in corners, not every corner, it’s hit or miss.
Twin Haven via the new trail; Trail is nice except for the last 3/4 mile where it turns off the grade. This section has now been groomed & is much better but still has new trail bumps. For those running along the power lines N from North Twin boat ramp, you now have a stop sign at the grade, E/W traffic has the right of way.
The lakes are marked and had lots of snow. They are frozen again, but watch for the possibility of ruts on the lakes. More snow is needed to smoothen out the lakes.
The groomers have been out nightly for the past week repairing the melt down damage. Temps fell to zero last night & trails firmed up well. We have had about 2″ of light snow over the past several days that has at least turned the brown snow banks white & gave us something to groom into the old stuff. A clipper is forecast for Saturday with temps staying cold thru the weekend.
Trail conditions are good to very good with a periodic excellent depending on the trail you are on and the time of day. The only real exception to this is right near town (particularly west along K until the WI river bridge) where the trails are fair. Watch for ice in corners, not every corner, it’s hit or miss.
Twin Haven via the new trail; Trail is nice except for the last 3/4 mile where it turns off the grade. This section has now been groomed & is much better but still has new trail bumps. For those running along the power lines N from North Twin boat ramp, you now have a stop sign at the grade, E/W traffic has the right of way.
The lakes are marked and had lots of snow. They are frozen again, but watch for the possibility of ruts on the lakes. More snow is needed to smoothen out the lakes.
2-7-17 8 AM
Both groomers were out again last night. Temps only fell to 20 last night so trails probably didn’t firm up rock hard. Saturday’s clipper turned into another non-event storm (is a clipper really ever a storm?). Today’s “Colorado Low” system must need Mapquest because it’s been all over the map but as of now we are forecast back into the snow band & it started snowing at 7 AM. We need fresh snow to work with. That is the bottom line, I’m not going to sugar coat the message. I groomed the west side, so I can speak accurately about that & can assume about the east. If the snow actually continues after I type, everything can be upgraded.
Road crossings on Hwy 45 are poor. Crossings on K near town also poor.
Trail 8: From the Energy Mart west to trail 45 south intersection is fair at best. Snow is brown, ugly brown with lots of ice. Beyond this intersection west until 13 south intersection is better but snow is thin over an ice base that has some bumps frozen in. From this point west to Star Lake road, trail is good or better but some ice in corners. Road is bare at Burnt Bridge.
Trails 45 south and 13 south loop is good or better.
Trail 13 north/45 north of Hwy K: Trail is smooth but thin with ice in corners. Last week I reported an area about 2 miles north but south of the bridge that was brown. That area is back and worse. Sunday night I tried to drag snow onto the trail from some wide corners. There just isn’t enough to work with. Expect snirt with the emphasis on dirt. Beyond the bridge, both trails are good or better all the way.
East side trails should be good or better EXCEPT we are not grooming behind the cemetery on the way to Pioneer Lake and the short link from Muskrat Rd to the Cemetery Rd is bare ice. Hwy K at Pioneer Creek crossing is bare & I assume the road route to South Twin is also.
Twin Haven via the new trail; It has smoothened out nicely now. For those running along the power lines heading north from the North Twin boat ramp, you now have a stop sign at the grade, E/W traffic has the right of way.
The lakes are marked and had lots of snow. They are frozen again, but watch for the possibility of ruts on the lakes. More snow is needed to smoothen out the lakes.
Both groomers were out again last night. Temps only fell to 20 last night so trails probably didn’t firm up rock hard. Saturday’s clipper turned into another non-event storm (is a clipper really ever a storm?). Today’s “Colorado Low” system must need Mapquest because it’s been all over the map but as of now we are forecast back into the snow band & it started snowing at 7 AM. We need fresh snow to work with. That is the bottom line, I’m not going to sugar coat the message. I groomed the west side, so I can speak accurately about that & can assume about the east. If the snow actually continues after I type, everything can be upgraded.
Road crossings on Hwy 45 are poor. Crossings on K near town also poor.
Trail 8: From the Energy Mart west to trail 45 south intersection is fair at best. Snow is brown, ugly brown with lots of ice. Beyond this intersection west until 13 south intersection is better but snow is thin over an ice base that has some bumps frozen in. From this point west to Star Lake road, trail is good or better but some ice in corners. Road is bare at Burnt Bridge.
Trails 45 south and 13 south loop is good or better.
Trail 13 north/45 north of Hwy K: Trail is smooth but thin with ice in corners. Last week I reported an area about 2 miles north but south of the bridge that was brown. That area is back and worse. Sunday night I tried to drag snow onto the trail from some wide corners. There just isn’t enough to work with. Expect snirt with the emphasis on dirt. Beyond the bridge, both trails are good or better all the way.
East side trails should be good or better EXCEPT we are not grooming behind the cemetery on the way to Pioneer Lake and the short link from Muskrat Rd to the Cemetery Rd is bare ice. Hwy K at Pioneer Creek crossing is bare & I assume the road route to South Twin is also.
Twin Haven via the new trail; It has smoothened out nicely now. For those running along the power lines heading north from the North Twin boat ramp, you now have a stop sign at the grade, E/W traffic has the right of way.
The lakes are marked and had lots of snow. They are frozen again, but watch for the possibility of ruts on the lakes. More snow is needed to smoothen out the lakes.
2-8-17 9 AM
Both groomers were out again last night. Temps fell to near zero so trails firmed up rock hard. Yesterday’s “Colorado Low” system dropped about 4″ of good snow that we can work with.
I’m giving the trails a good rating but expect very good with some excellent thrown in too. (Very good is not an option when posting a Snowtracks report)
Road crossings on Hwy 45 are fair. Crossings on K near town also fair.
We are not grooming behind the cemetery on the way to Pioneer Lake.
Twin Haven via the new trail; It has smoothened out nicely now. For those running along the power lines heading north from the North Twin boat ramp, you now have a stop sign at the grade, E/W traffic has the right of way.
The lakes are marked and pretty smooth now.
Both groomers were out again last night. Temps fell to near zero so trails firmed up rock hard. Yesterday’s “Colorado Low” system dropped about 4″ of good snow that we can work with.
I’m giving the trails a good rating but expect very good with some excellent thrown in too. (Very good is not an option when posting a Snowtracks report)
Road crossings on Hwy 45 are fair. Crossings on K near town also fair.
We are not grooming behind the cemetery on the way to Pioneer Lake.
Twin Haven via the new trail; It has smoothened out nicely now. For those running along the power lines heading north from the North Twin boat ramp, you now have a stop sign at the grade, E/W traffic has the right of way.
The lakes are marked and pretty smooth now.
2-12-17 10AM
Friday’s traffic was high and Saturday’s traffic was off the charts. Trails took a beating Saturday in particular. The warm weather forecast for the weekend has stayed just below freezing with overcast, so the snow has survived. Temps may sneak above freezing today and Monday, hopefully not too far than drop back to mid 20s Tuesday.
Both groomers were out again last night. Temps stayed near 30 overnight so trails most likely didn’t firm up well. Trails will start the day smooth but if traffic is high, they will get beat quickly again today.
I’m giving the trails a good rating but expect very good with some excellent thrown in too. (Very good is not an option when posting a report)
Road crossings on Hwy 45 are fair. Crossings on K near town also fair.
We are not grooming behind the cemetery on the way to Pioneer Lake.
Twin Haven via the new trail; It has smoothened out nicely now. For those running along the power lines heading north from the North Twin boat ramp, you now have a stop sign at the grade, E/W traffic has the right of way.
The lakes are marked and pretty smooth now.
Friday’s traffic was high and Saturday’s traffic was off the charts. Trails took a beating Saturday in particular. The warm weather forecast for the weekend has stayed just below freezing with overcast, so the snow has survived. Temps may sneak above freezing today and Monday, hopefully not too far than drop back to mid 20s Tuesday.
Both groomers were out again last night. Temps stayed near 30 overnight so trails most likely didn’t firm up well. Trails will start the day smooth but if traffic is high, they will get beat quickly again today.
I’m giving the trails a good rating but expect very good with some excellent thrown in too. (Very good is not an option when posting a report)
Road crossings on Hwy 45 are fair. Crossings on K near town also fair.
We are not grooming behind the cemetery on the way to Pioneer Lake.
Twin Haven via the new trail; It has smoothened out nicely now. For those running along the power lines heading north from the North Twin boat ramp, you now have a stop sign at the grade, E/W traffic has the right of way.
The lakes are marked and pretty smooth now.
Jim wanted to thankyou for the Phelps (Thunder Bay) ride! The snow was the best northeast of Star Lake with very lite traffic. With the heavy traffic last weekend (radar run) want to thank all the groomers for the great trails we rode last week with some receiving 2" and other getting 6". As you have said in your reports there are great trails and some not so great but all are rideable. Again Hats off to the groomer crews!!!
2-14-17 8AM
The temps climbed to the low 40s with bright sun Monday. South facing slopes & road crossings took a beating. Low 30s today & tomorrow then they spike into the 40s for Friday thru Monday. The future of this season looks bleak.
Both groomers were out again last night. Temps stayed near 30 overnight so trails most likely didn’t firm up well. Trails will start the day smooth but if traffic is high, they will get beat quickly again today.
I’m giving the trails a fair rating but expect some poor & good conditions thrown in too. South facing slopes (which we have few of), the north edges of east west trails & inside of turns will deteriorate first.
Road crossings on Hwy 45 are poor. Crossings on K near town also fair. The trail near the Energy Mart west to the 1st intersection (45 S) is brown & nasty. The area on 13N/45N about 2 miles north of K but south of the bridge is poor with lots of snirt & bare dirt.
We are not grooming behind the cemetery on the way to Pioneer Lake.
Twin Haven via the new trail; It has smoothened out nicely now. For those running along the power lines heading north from the North Twin boat ramp, you now have a stop sign at the grade, E/W traffic has the right of way.
The lakes are marked and pretty smooth now.
FYI: My rating of fair is based on the fact it is mid February and things should be much better this time of year. If I was rating trails in the Hwy 29 corridor, I would consider them good for mid February.
The temps climbed to the low 40s with bright sun Monday. South facing slopes & road crossings took a beating. Low 30s today & tomorrow then they spike into the 40s for Friday thru Monday. The future of this season looks bleak.
Both groomers were out again last night. Temps stayed near 30 overnight so trails most likely didn’t firm up well. Trails will start the day smooth but if traffic is high, they will get beat quickly again today.
I’m giving the trails a fair rating but expect some poor & good conditions thrown in too. South facing slopes (which we have few of), the north edges of east west trails & inside of turns will deteriorate first.
Road crossings on Hwy 45 are poor. Crossings on K near town also fair. The trail near the Energy Mart west to the 1st intersection (45 S) is brown & nasty. The area on 13N/45N about 2 miles north of K but south of the bridge is poor with lots of snirt & bare dirt.
We are not grooming behind the cemetery on the way to Pioneer Lake.
Twin Haven via the new trail; It has smoothened out nicely now. For those running along the power lines heading north from the North Twin boat ramp, you now have a stop sign at the grade, E/W traffic has the right of way.
The lakes are marked and pretty smooth now.
FYI: My rating of fair is based on the fact it is mid February and things should be much better this time of year. If I was rating trails in the Hwy 29 corridor, I would consider them good for mid February.
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Today’s big storm netted about 2 1/2 inches of snow. Add that to the 1 1/2 – 2 that fell Wednesday night (and about 1/2 of that melted Thursday) and I have 3 to 3 1/2 inches of new snow on my front deck at 6 PM. It is snowing as I type, so maybe an additional measurable snow will fall.
Virtually all trails/base were gone by last weekend. Vilas trails are technically open and I’ll give conditions a POOR after today’s “non event” storm. Lakes were basically just ice with some water on top by Tuesday, now they have snow/slush. As I type, I am not sure if lakes are still marked or not. Do not travel lakes if not marked. Top soil was soft but has firmed up – at least to foot traffic. I did see some tracks east of town by Muskrat Creek and on trail 17 by Indian Rd (SW of Phelps).
I’m sure anyone reading this post is a fan of winter sports & snowmobiling in particular. I understand that weather forecasting is not an exact science but all the TV news has been talking about is how the world nearly ended. Also, in case you weren’t aware, road speed limits are for dry conditions, you should slow down on snow. Seems your tires don’t have as much traction.
I also am not sure yet if groomers will roll or not.
Virtually all trails/base were gone by last weekend. Vilas trails are technically open and I’ll give conditions a POOR after today’s “non event” storm. Lakes were basically just ice with some water on top by Tuesday, now they have snow/slush. As I type, I am not sure if lakes are still marked or not. Do not travel lakes if not marked. Top soil was soft but has firmed up – at least to foot traffic. I did see some tracks east of town by Muskrat Creek and on trail 17 by Indian Rd (SW of Phelps).
I’m sure anyone reading this post is a fan of winter sports & snowmobiling in particular. I understand that weather forecasting is not an exact science but all the TV news has been talking about is how the world nearly ended. Also, in case you weren’t aware, road speed limits are for dry conditions, you should slow down on snow. Seems your tires don’t have as much traction.
I also am not sure yet if groomers will roll or not.